“That will be nine dollars, please,” the woman says, and I can tell her cheerfulness is forced without even looking at her.
“You really know your way around that fetish section, Barbie. Tell me, do you like to play?”
His voice is like a snake across my skin so I can only imagine what he’s doing to her. I have to bite my tongue and remind myself that this isn’t my business and I need to stay out of it.
“I make it my job to read the books I have here in my shop so that I can help people find what they’re looking for. That one in particular you asked for is nine dollars.” Her answer is a little more stern and a silence passes as she clearly waits for him to pay.
“Sure, sure.” The guy pulls out his wallet and fans it open to make a show of all the cash he has inside. I roll my eyes and shift as I try to see around him and get a look at the woman. He moves to block me again and I’m irritated. “How about on Friday we close up shop together and you show me around this place in the dark?”
This motherfucker is not taking a hint and I’ve had about enough of it.
“I…um, well it’s just that—”
“Hey, Barbie,” I find myself saying as I push my way up the counter beside the snake. She’s stunned silent for half a second as she looks up at me, but I wink at her so the guy can’t see.
The curvy brunette is a goddamn bombshell with warm brown eyes and dimples in her cheeks. When she quirks her dark red lips at me, I feel my knees get a little weak. Now it’s me who’s stunned and I have to clear my throat.
“Mom had a few more books on her list this week I need help finding.”
“Oh sure, no problem!” She recovers quickly.
“And I’m just making sure we’re still on for Friday.” I catch a hint of a blush as she tucks her chin and nods.
“Yeah, we are.”
“Good.” I make a show of turning my big body to face the guy at the counter. I finally have the chance to size him up and I’m not shocked he falls short. He’s tall and lean and looks like he could pass for a fitness model, but a pretty face will only get you so far when you’ve got an attitude like trash.
He looks at me and then at Barbie before pushing the book towards her. “Never mind. I’m going to get it online.”
He walks out of the store and as happy as I am to see him go, I see her eyes widen and her mouth open as if to call after him. Her face is crestfallen when the door closes behind him and the chime of the bell might as well be laughing at her.
“I’m sorry about that,” I mumble, thinking I may have just hurt her business. “I’ll take these.” I stack up the books I have in my basket and see a pile next to the register marked as clearance. “I’ll take these too.”
I slide the pile of books closer to her as if showing her my offerings will somehow make the look of sadness on her face go away. Her eyes widen at the pile as if just now seeing them and she blinks a few times. I grab the ones that other dipshit left behind into my pile.
She looks up to me then looks away quickly. “Thank you for that. I wasn’t sure what to say to him, but I appreciate you stepping in.” She clears her throat and goes about scanning the books.
“Don’t worry about it.” I see the total on the register and I pull out a hundred-dollar bill.
“Oh, I, uh, don’t have that kind of change.” Her cheeks turn the color of her lips and I watch as her straight white teeth sink into them nervously.
“Keep it. I cost you a sale.” I nod over my shoulder to where the guy left and she starts waving her hand.
“No, I can’t. Seriously, give me a second and I’ll go find some. I live right above here and I’m sure I’ve got something socked away.”
I reach out and put my hand on top of hers. “Keep it. I’ll be back.”
Goddamn if she doesn’t smile so big those dimples come back out again. Those two little indentions have something stirring inside me and I don’t know what to do about it. I grab the bag of books off the counter and make myself walk away. She’s already had one guy try to get in her pants tonight and no doubt she’s not ready for another.
“Wait, what about Friday?” she calls out to my back and I turn just as I’m about to walk out of the door.